It is with great pleasure that Dubai College welcomes you to YMOG 2027. We are honoured to host this extraordinary celebration of young talent, dedication and musical excellence.
Tomas Duckling Headmaster
Jennie Lee Foster Director of music
Tony Piper Deputy Head: Character
The Music Department at Dubai College is committed to cultivating excellence, creativity and integrity through a rich and ambitious musical education. We strive to inspire and encourage every student to become a confident, reflective and compassionate musician who understands the power of music to connect cultures, enrich communities and shape the world positively.
We foster the highest standards of musical achievement while ensuring that curiosity, collaboration and individuality remain at the heart of all we do. Through performance, composition, scholarship and service, students are encouraged to develop resilience, discipline and artistic confidence alongside technical mastery.
We believe music is both a universal language and a transformative force. Our department seeks to nurture young people who are not only accomplished performers and thinkers, but also culturally aware global citizens who value empathy, expression and shared humanity. Within a warm, inclusive and mutually respectful environment, students are empowered to take creative risks, pursue excellence with humility and contribute meaningfully to the musical and wider life of the school and beyond. Through innovation, aspiration and a deep love of music-making, we prepare our students to thrive in an everchanging and interconnected world.
d excited to be hat unites and he Gulf states d and talented on of musical mmunity that chool Bahrain, a privilege to worthy of the many more nd here in the xtend a warm are so excited forward to an
3 Jan
Registration opens
Provisional numbers submitted
Registration closes
Deadline for completed entry forms
Payment deadline | Final date for uploaded sheet music
Deadline for composition submission
Deadline for room sharing preferences
Deadline for flight arrival and departure times
The event commences on Monday 18th January 2027 and concludes with the Grand Final on Thursday 21st January 2027.
Competitors from overseas will arrive on the afternoon/evening of Sunday 17th January 2027. Dinner will be provided in the hotel on Sunday evening. Please advise Dubai College (hereafter called the organisers) of your flight details as soon as they are known.
Overseas Schools that are unable to arrive on Sunday 17th January should contact Ms Jacki Williams (YMOG Administrator) on jacki.williams@dubaicollege.org and options will be offered.
Entries will only be accepted from and through schools who are members of BSME. All communication between the organisers and the participants will be conducted via the participant’s school. Every participant must be accompanied by a teacher from their school.
The initial entry form is not a guarantee of entry. The organisers reserve the right to decline any entry which does not meet the required criteria.
Heads/Directors of Music are expected to retrieve all fee payments from students who wish to participate and complete a bank transfer to Dubai College on or before the deadline date - Sunday 6th December. Schools who have not made the full payment by the due date, and not been in touch will be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition.
In the event of subsequent withdrawal school's will be responsible for any costs incurred by the organiser.
Please note that the use of ABRSM / Trinity examination levels are merely a yardstick and point of reference. Entrants do not need to have passed any examinations. However, it is recommended that entrants be at or around this level in order to compete on equal terms with their peers.
In the event of entrants offering different instruments from the below list, clarification should be sought from the organisers.
♪ Vocal Grade 7
♪ Piano Grade 7
♪ Percussion Grade 7
♪ Flute Grade 7
♪ Oboe Grade 7
♪ Recorder Grade 7
♪ Clarinet Grade 7
♪ Bassoon Grade 7
♪ Saxophone Grade 7
♪ Violin Grade 7
♪ Viola Grade 7
♪ Cello Grade 7
♪ Double Bass Grade 7
♪ Guitar Grade 7
♪ Trumpet Grade 7
♪ Cornet/Flugelhorn Grade 7
♪ French Horn Grade 7
♪ Eb Horn Grade 7
♪ Trombone Grade 7
♪ Euphonium Grade 7
♪ Tuba Grade 7
♪ Orchestral Percussion Grade 7
♪ Mallet Percussion Grade 7
All entrants should choose a repertoire which reflects the high level of performance expected during this competition. Entrants who wish to improvise may do so provided the stimulus is submitted for the benefit of the judges. General criteria of the type used to assess GCSE/GCE performances which feature improvisation will be applied. Categories which may include improvisation include ethnic instruments where improvisation is intrinsic to the nature of the instrument. Backing tracks are not permitted
The instrumental participants will compete against other instrumental competitors from across the musical spectrum.
The vocal participants will compete exclusively against other vocalists.
Participants from both the instrumental and vocal category will be selected to advance to the second round, semi final and final within their respective categories at the adjudicators’ discretion. The table outlines the approximate percentage of entrants from each category who will advance through each round.
5 participants*
1 participant*
Dependent upon numbers of entries in the various categories, it is anticipated that the semi final will comprise of 10/11 instrumental soloists, 6/7 vocal soloists, 2 small ensembles, 2 small vocal ensembles, 2 large vocal ensembles and 2 large ensembles.
*Please note that this is a guide and subject to change at the discretion of the adjudicators.
Round one pieces will be the performer’s choice and should be one piece lasting no longer than six minutes. The organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than six minutes.
Round two pieces will be taken from the YMOG instrumental test piece 2027 that has been selected by the host school.
Entrants selected to advance to the semi final must choose a different piece to that performed in round one and round two. This will be one piece of the performer’s choice and should last no longer than seven minutes. The organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than seven minutes.
Entrants selected to advance to the grand final may include any works previously performed in the competition or choose new repertoire. Grand final repertoire should consist of at least two contrasting works. Grand final repertoire should last for a total of up to twelve minutes.
The organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than twelve minutes.
Round one pieces will be an Aria from an Opera/Oratorio or an art song in any language and should be one piece lasting no longer than six minutes. The organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than six minutes.
Round two pieces will be taken from the YMOG vocal test piece 2027 that has been selected by the host school.
Entrants selected to advance to the semi final must choose a different piece to that performed in round one and round two. This will be one piece of the performer’s choice and should last no longer than seven minutes. The organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than seven minutes.
Entrants selected to advance to the grand final may include any works previously performed in the Competition or choose new repertoire. Grand final repertoire should consist of at least two contrasting works. Grand final repertoire should last for a total of up to twelve minutes.
The organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than twelve minutes 11
The organisers have decided that the repertoire that will be performed during Round two of the BSME YMOG 2027 will be a test pieces.
The selected piece for each instrument and vocal section can be found below:
Test Piece Instrument
Alto Saxophone
Bass Trombone Andante for Tuba or Bass Trombone, Tcherepnin
Ibert: Aria Bassoon
Cello
Clarinet
Ballade (2nd mvt. from Sonata) Hurlstone: Sonata in F
Ailbhe McDonagh Busybody
Pierné Canzonetta Op 19
Concertino, 1st mvt. Rondo Burlesca, William Himes Cornet/Flugelhorn
Capriccioso (1st mvt. from Sonatina for Descant Recorder) Elizabeth Cooper: Sonatina for Descant Recorder Descant Recorder
A Time for Peace from 'The Essence of Time' by Peter Graham Eb Horn/Euphonium
Telemann Fantasia No 1 in A from 12 Fantasias for flute solo Flute
French Horn
Guitar
Reverie by Glazunov
Reis: Uma Valsa e Dois Amores
Italian Dance by Dring Oboe
Piano
Tenor Saxophone
Treble Recorder
'Cortege' No 3 from 'Trois Morceau pour Piano' by Lili Boulanger
Farewell Patagonia Geoff Eales: Farewell Patagonia for Tenor Saxophone
Milford Vivo (non troppo) (3rd mvt. from Sonatina in F) Milford: Sonatina in F)
Divertimento for Trombone and Piano (1 mvt.), Edward Gregson (*flutter tongue optional) st Trombone
Instrument
Trumpet
Tuba
Tuned Percussion
Untuned Percussion
Viola
Violin
Voice
Test Piece
Fanfare and Berceuse, Butterworth
Un Bal, Berlioz arr Christopher Mowat; (from the book ‘Savoir Faire for tuba’)
Meditation – J.S. Bach, arr. Mark Ford
Etude no 2 (from portraits in rhythm) by Anthony Cirone
Grazioli: Sonata in F first movement
It Aint Necessarily So by Gershwin/Heifetz
Les Berceaux by Faure
The ensemble category consists of four individual categories:
Up to nine instrumentalists plus a student/staff conductor and/or accompanist (if required).
Ten or more performers plus a student/staff conductor and/or accompanist (if required).
Between two to nine vocalists plus a student/staff conductor and/or accompanist (if required).
Choral music with an instrumental obligato features will be permitted. However, please check with the organisers. Ten or more singers plus a piano accompanist and conductor (student or adult).
Choral music with an instrumental Obligato features will be permitted. However, please check with the organisers.
An instrumental ensemble may include some sections of singing, however if the voices are in two parts or more, the piece will be moved to the relevant vocal ensemble category. Repertoire should reflect the spirit and merit of the event. For this reason all instruments being played in an ensemble should be acoustic. However if for example a Jazz ensemble requires amplified or electronic instruments, then a maximum of two players will be permitted. Please check with the organisers beforehand if in doubt. Performances that utilise improvisation are required to be supported with an explanation of the stimulus for that improvisation.
The small ensemble category does not include pop or rock bands.
Each ensemble category performance should not exceed eight minutes This should be one piece only. Performances will be stopped if they exceed the time limit of eight minutes.
Please note that any performance entries that require the use of two pianos will be accepted in YMOG 2027. Participants entering with traditional or world acoustic instruments must ensure that all submitted scores are notated in Western sheet music format, in order to be easily read and followed by our adjudicators.
Small
Large
• Entrants are required to submit one piece of original music that they have composed in any style (minimum duration 2 minutes)
• Entrants are required to be enrolled in either the Soloist or Ensemble Category
• Entrants to submit their work to the Organisers no later than Sunday 3 January 2027
SUBMISSION DEADLINE SUNDAY 3 JANUARY 2027
Compositions will be judged on:
• Technical control of the elements
• Development of ideas within a clear structural framework
• Creative and imaginative use of musical ideas as well as a sense of style and fluency Entrants may also wish to include a detailed preface or brief outlining their intentions, clarifying any directions within their score.
♪ Young Musician of the Gulf 2027 Winner (trophy and shield)
♪ Young Musician of the Gulf 2027 Runner Up
♪ Knights Bequest (most promising musician under 15 years of age)
♪ Piano Award
♪ Brass Award
♪ Woodwind Award
♪ Bowed String Award
♪ Plucked String Award
♪ Female Vocalist
♪ Male Vocalist
♪ Percussion Award
♪ Composition Award
♪ Large Instrumental Ensemble Award
♪ Small Instrumental Ensemble Award
♪ Large Vocal Ensemble Award
♪ Small Vocal Ensemble Award
♪ Young Musician of the Gulf Overall Ensemble Winners 2027
Sunday 17th January 2027
Airport to Hotel
International Airports and transported to the Radisson Blu Hotel International flight arrivals begin 14:00
All schools collected from DXB or SHJ
Room check-in available; hotel facilities available for YMOG competitors and staff
Dinner served in the Hotel 18:00
Monday 18th January 2027
Dubai College - Solo Category Round One
Arrive at Dubai College Auditorium 08:00
Welcome and Introduction to adjudicators 08:30
Round one begins 09:00
Solo Instrumentalists - Auditorium
Solo Vocalists - Music Department Atrium
BREAK - morning snacks and drinks 10:45
Round one continues 11:00
LUNCH - buffet in the canteen area 13:00
Round one continues 13:45
BREAK - afternoon snacks and drinks 15:15
Round one continues 15:30
End of round one 17:15
Announcement of round two qualifiers 17:45
Transportation to hotel; dinner from 18:30 18:00
Tuesday 19th January 2027
Solo Category - Round two: Instrumentalists and Vocalists
Arrival at Dubai College 08:00
Round two begins 08:30
Instrumentalists - Auditorium
Vocalists - Music Department atrium
BREAK - morning snacks and drinks served 10:45
Round two continues 11:00
Round two continues 13:45 LUNCH - buffet in the canteen area 13:00
Round two continues 15:30 BREAK - afternoon snacks and drinks served 15:15
Announcements of qualifying semi finalists 17:45 End of round two 17:15
GALA DINNER FOR ALL COMPETITORS AND STAFF, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Barsha Heights, 19:00-21:00 19:00 Transportation to hotel 18:00
Wednesday 20th January 2027
Ensemble category / semi final
Timings subject to change when entrants are confirmed
Arrival at Dubai College 08:00
Large ensemble category begins - Auditorium 08:30
Small vocal ensemble - Music Dept atrium
BREAK - morning snacks and drinks served 10:30
Small ensemble category begins - Auditorium 10:45
Large vocal snsemble begins - Auditorium 11:45
LUNCH - buffet served in the canteen area 13:00
Announcement of qualifying semi finalists 13:45
Transportation to hotel to change for semi final 14:00
Early dinner served in the hotel 16:30
Transportation from hotel to Dubai College 17:15
Soloists and ensembles progressing to grand final announced; transport to hotel YMOG semi final 2027 begins 18:00
Thursday 21st January 2027
Dubai College - Masterclasses / YMOG grand final
08:30
09:00
Arrive at Dubai College
Welcome and overview of the final day followed by the combined orchestral and vocal Item for all competitors
BREAK - morning snacks and drinks served 10:30
13:00 Adjudicators workshops begin 11:00
LUNCH - buffet in the canteen area
14:00 Transportation to hotel 13:45
Sound check and rehearsals for all soloists and ensembles participating in the grand final
18:00 Dinner served in the hotel 17:00
YMOG 2027 grand final 19:00 Transportation to Dubai College
Friday 22nd January 2027
18:00 All overseas competitors and staff depart UAE Hotel to airport
Breakfast served from 06:00
All schools to depart at various times during the morning. All will be transported from the hotel to Dubai or Sharjah Airports.
If a late afternoon room is requested or lunch for this day, it will be at the expense of the individual school and not part of the overseas package.
(All fees are inclusive of VAT) Soloist
AED 1,600
Ensemble
AED 775
PAYMENT DEADLINE
DECEMBER 6th 2026
UAE Schools Package includes:
• This is a non-hotel package. For hotel options - see Overseas Package
• Entry fee for multiple categories
• Buffet lunch at Dubai College
• All morning and afternoon snacks and beverages
• Gala dinner
• Professional masterclasses conducted by our Adjudicators
• Adjudicators' fees and administration costs
• Entrance to the semi final and grand final
• Printed participation certificates for all competitors
• Souvenir brochure
Please note that all Flights and Visa costs are the responsibility of the participating schools.
(All fees are inclusive of VAT) Soloist
AED 3,800
Ensemble
AED 3,200
Extra Staff
Single Room
AED 3,750
Extra Staff Twin Room (per person)
AED 2,750
1 free staff place per 10 students
PAYMENT DEADLINE
DECEMBER 6th 2026
Overseas Schools Package includes:
• Entry fee for multiple categories
• 5 nights bed and breakfast in the Hotel
• Full access to the hotel facilities
• Dinner daily from Sunday 17th Jan to Thursday 21st Jan
• Buffet lunch at Dubai College
• All morning and afternoon snacks and beverages
• Gala dinner
• All transportation in Dubai
• Professional masterclasses conducted by our adjudicators
• Adjudicators' fees and administration costs
• Entrance to the semi final and grand final
• Printed participation certificates for all competitors
• Souvenir Brochure
Please note that all flights and visa costs are the responsibility of the participating schools.
It is imperative that all bank transfers are referenced and clearly labelled with the school making the payment.
Bank Transfer Details
Bank Name:
Account Number:
Account Name:
Bank Address:
SWIFT CODE:
IBAN Number:
Dubai Islamic Bank
001520159795501
Dubai College
Main Branch, PO Box 1080, Dubai, UAE
DUIBAEAD
AE230240001520159795501
YMOG: school name
Reference: PAYMENT DEADLINE
DECEMBER 6th 2026
Fees are inclusive of VAT
All flights and visa costs are the responsibility of participating schools.
Late payments may result in forfeiture of place.
No refunds after the payment deadline.
For payment queries, please contact the Dubai College YMOG administration team directly.
